Joshua 18 9

Joshua 18:9 kjv

And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.

Joshua 18:9 nkjv

So the men went, passed through the land, and wrote the survey in a book in seven parts by cities; and they came to Joshua at the camp in Shiloh.

Joshua 18:9 niv

So the men left and went through the land. They wrote its description on a scroll, town by town, in seven parts, and returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.

Joshua 18:9 esv

So the men went and passed up and down in the land and wrote in a book a description of it by towns in seven divisions. Then they came to Joshua to the camp at Shiloh,

Joshua 18:9 nlt

The men did as they were told and mapped the entire territory into seven sections, listing the towns in each section. They made a written record and then returned to Joshua in the camp at Shiloh.

Joshua 18 verses

Joshua 18 9 Meaning

Joshua 18:9 describes the methodical and diligent execution of Joshua's command to survey the remaining unallocated land in Canaan. The appointed men systematically traversed the territory, accurately documented its features and settlements, organized this information into seven distinct sections within a written record, and then returned to Joshua at the camp in Shiloh to present their findings, enabling the fair distribution of inheritance to the remaining tribes.

Joshua 18 9 Context

Joshua chapter 18 details the division of the land among the remaining seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance. Prior to this, the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh had already been allocated their territories. The chapter opens with the assembled congregation at Shiloh, highlighting Shiloh's importance as the central spiritual and administrative location where the Tabernacle resided. Joshua confronts the remaining tribes for their procrastination in settling and taking possession of their promised land. To facilitate the final distribution and ensure fairness, he commissions a survey party (three men from each of the seven tribes, totaling twenty-one men) to traverse the undescribed territories, specifically the seven parts still to be allocated. Verse 9 then describes the successful completion of this vital mission, which forms the basis for the subsequent casting of lots and tribal apportionments outlined in the rest of the chapter. Historically, this act marks a crucial step in Israel's transition from a nomadic, conquering force to a settled nation, establishing their rightful claims as the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

Joshua 18 9 Word analysis

• So the men: Refers to the twenty-one appointed individuals (three from each of the seven remaining tribes, Josh 18:4). Their commissioning highlights the importance of shared tribal responsibility and collective action in securing their inheritance.
• went and passed through: Hebrew vayyelkhu vayithalləkhu. The repetition of the root halak (to go/walk) in different verb forms emphasizes a thorough, deliberate, and comprehensive reconnaissance of the territory. It signifies that they did not merely glance but meticulously covered the area.
• the land: Specifically, the part of Canaan that was not yet surveyed or allotted to the tribes of Judah, Ephraim, or Manasseh. It represents the divinely promised territory that needed formal establishment of boundaries for settlement.
• and set down in a book: Hebrew vayyikhtəvu bassefer. "Set down" means "wrote," signifying formal documentation. The word sefer (סֵפֶר) can refer to a scroll, register, or document, indicating a lasting and official record. This act implies careful planning, meticulousness, and legal validity, ensuring transparency and preventing future disputes.
• a description of it: The content of the "book" or scroll. It means a detailed and accurate mapping or report, capturing the essential geographical and demographic features of the surveyed land.
• by towns: Hebrew le'arim. This indicates that the survey focused not just on arbitrary land segments but specifically identified and documented inhabited places, indicating where people would live and build communities. This highlights the practical aspect of land distribution for settlement.
• in seven divisions: Hebrew le'shiv'ah khalakim. The immediate purpose of the survey was to create seven distinct portions corresponding to the seven tribes yet to receive their inheritance. This methodical segmentation prepared the land for the final casting of lots.
• Then they came back to Joshua: This shows the accountability of the surveyors to Joshua, who was the ultimate leader responsible for executing God's command regarding the land division. It signifies the completion of their assigned task.
• at the camp at Shiloh: Shiloh was Israel's central meeting point after the conquest (Josh 18:1), where the Tabernacle was set up. Reporting at Shiloh affirmed the spiritual oversight of the process, ensuring that the land distribution was not just a political or military act but one consecrated before the Lord.

Joshua 18 9 Bonus section

The systematic land survey described here is a significant practical application of Israel's new status as a settled people rather than a nomadic army. It highlights the importance of due process, record-keeping, and fair administration in governance. The act of "setting down in a book" speaks to ancient Israel's legal and administrative sophistication, which was rooted in divine commandments, as the Law itself was a written document. The procrastination of the tribes (mentioned in the preceding verses) underscores the need for divine prompting through Joshua to move from conquest to inheritance and settlement, emphasizing that receiving God's promises often requires active, organized human effort and obedience, not just passive waiting. This event can serve as an example of effective project management, where tasks are clearly delegated, executed thoroughly, documented properly, and reported accurately to authority, all contributing to the fulfillment of a larger divine purpose.

Joshua 18 9 Commentary

Joshua 18:9 encapsulates the methodical and organized approach undertaken by Israel to fulfill God's promise of land. After initial zeal in conquest, a period of inaction for some tribes prompted Joshua to commission a careful survey. This verse highlights the practical wisdom applied: diligent exploration, meticulous documentation "in a book," and the subdivision of territory into "seven divisions" tailored for fair allotment. The emphasis on written record underscores transparency, permanence, and accountability, laying a foundation for stability in the new land. Reporting back to Joshua at "Shiloh," the nation's spiritual and administrative center, reaffirms that this earthly task was part of God's greater design, carried out under divine oversight. It showcases human responsibility in actively receiving and organizing the divine inheritance, rather than passively waiting. This methodical work ensured order and equitable distribution, preventing potential chaos and conflict among the tribes.